Drought Tolerant Gardening - Goffle Brook Farms

Gardening in Dry Conditions

No one ever anticipates a drought but some years we go in to the season dryer than others. Here are some tips to help you garden in either a dryer location or during a drought.

  • Water infrequently, deeply and thoroughly. This will encourage rooting and greater tolerance to dry spells.
  • Mulch soil surface. Mulching cuts down on water loss due to evaporation. A 2 to 3 inch layer of our Maibec premium cedar mulch or compost such as Bumper Crop Apply mulches to shrubs, trees, annuals, vegetable gardens, and even containers.
  • Shelter your containers. Move your containers to a shaded area to keep them from drying quickly in hot windy areas.
  • Plant drought tolerant plants. Drought tolerant plants need less water to survive. Find out which plants can get along with less water.
  • Water earlier in the day to reduce evaporation loss.
  • Properly condition and fertilize your soil. Water does not easily penetrate clay soils and water passes too quickly beyond the root zone of plants in sandy soil. Adding Bumper Crop to clay and sandy soils will increase the penetrability of clay soils and the water holding capacity of sandy soils. Fertilize in moderation using a complete, balanced formula.
  • Cut lawns to the proper height. Gradually let lawns reach a height of 3 to 4 inches. Longer blades of grass can mean going 3 to 4 days longer between watering.
  • Discourage water competition from weeds. Keep the weeds pulled or use herbicides to control weed growth and mulching to keep them from growing.
  • Plant in groups that have similar water requirements.
  • Add Soil Moist to all soils to reduce watering.
  • Use Soil Moist or Moisture Plus Miracle Gro potting soil in all containers.
  • Use watering cans to water containers to get better direct coverage.

Drought Tolerant Annuals

Lantana - Goffle Brook Farms

Dusty Miller - Goffle Brook Farms

Verbena - Goffle Brook Farms

Portulaca - Goffle Brook Farms

Begonia - Goffle Brook Farms

Geranium - Goffle Brook Farms

Vinca Minor - Goffle Brook Farms

Drought Tolerant Perennials

Euphorbia-cyparissias - Goffle Brook Farms

Liriope muscari - Goffle Brook Farms

Achillea-filipendulina- Goffle Brook Farms

Sedum - Goffle Brook Farms

Centaurea montana - Goffle Brook Farms

Gypsophilia - Goffle Brook Farms

Kniphofia - Goffle Brook Farms

Bergen County’s Best Kept Gardening Secret

Goffle Brook Farms – Garden Center/Farmer’s Market

423 Goffle Road Ridgewood,NJ 07450
(201) 652-7540